Pumping equipment



July 19, 1927.

l 'f' 1,636,433 J. PENROD ET AL PUMPING EQUPMENT Filed April gg. 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 lll Patented `luly 19, 1927.

UNITEDv STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN PENROD AND ROBERT D. THOMPSON, OF OKllVlIULGrEE7 OKLAHOMA.

` PUMPIN EQUIPMENT.

This invention relates to plungers esperially adapted for use in well pumps and particularly the invention resides in a fluid pressure actuated means for maintaining a substantially fluid tight joint between the plunger and the working barrel.

Briefly stated, an important object of this invention is to provide novel means whereby the weight and the pressure vof a column of fluid in a well tubing may be effectively utilized to establish and maintain a fluid tight joint between the lower portion of a plunger and the adjacent portion of the working barrel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing ring having reliable means to combat the sand encountered so that the .sand is prevented from cutting the parts and possibly causing the same to stick.

A further and equally important object of this invention is to provide a fluid sealing means which may 'be employed in connection with standard equipment Without elaborately altering the construction of the same and without a substantial eXpense.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. i

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrat-ing a plunger lequipped with the improved sectional ring, the plunger being on its down stroke.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating the plunger on its up-stroke.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the improved fluid pressure actuated ring, the parts being in the position they occupy on the upstroke of the plunger. n

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the fluid pressure expanded ring, the parts being 1n the position they occupy on the down-stroke` of the plunger. j

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the fiuid pressure actuated ring.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional v1ew taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 7--7 of Figure 4. j'

Figuige 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of a closed valve cage for receiving the lower navali-ag eil-ve., the' view illustrating a pie:

Application mea April-29, 1924. seriai Nb. 709,746.

rality of recesses or slots for the discharge of sand which may collect.

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the closed valve cage illustrated in Figure 8.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, thenumeral 5 designates a tubing, to the lower end of which is connected a` bushing 6. Figure 1 plainly illustrates that a shell 7 is threaded onto the bushing and carries a second bushing 8. A working barrel 9 is threaded onto a boss` 10 formed on the upper side of the bushing 8 and a standing valve 11is threaded onto a reduced .extension on the upper end of the boss 10. It is thus seen thatthestanding valve 11 is more or less permanently located in the lower portion of the working barrel and the ball or movable element of the standing valve .is elevated on the up-stroke of the plunger 14 to admit a quantity of fluid to the working barrel.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application resides partly in the means for providing a fluid tight or a substantially fluid tight joint between 'the plunger and the working barrel and to compensate for wear.

The plunger 14` has a ground fit inthe working barrel,` and is provided at its lower end with an internal shoulder 16, into which a connecting member 17, is threaded. The` lower end of the connecting member 17 is threaded into an internal shoulder 18 on the upper portion of a. closed traveling valve cage 19. The traveling valve cage 19 carries the spherical valve 20, which is unseated on the down-stroke of the plunger to admit a quantity of fiuid. j

It will be seen with reference to Figures 1 and 2 that the plunger 14 and the lower valve cage 19 are arranged in spaced relation and cooperate with the connecting member 17 in the formation of an annular recess for the reception of an elastic tubular body or sleeve Q2.

The tubular elastic body 22 may be composed of rubber, rawhide or other material found suitable for the purpose, and the ends 4of the tubular elastic body 22 may be provided with internal enlargements 24 confined between the shoulders 16 and 18 and shoulders adaeent the ends er the member 17. Bryan-iiyianng a@ eine a@ an. a@ tabular mein-ber 2Q bewees the @heladera on the tubular member 17 and the shoule ders 16 and 13, a fluid tight joint is provided, and the shape of the tubular member 22 is maintained for a long period, notwithstanding the fact that it is elastic and is therefore capable of yielding.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the upper portion of the plunger 14 isprovided with a diagonally extended openingl 25 to admit a quantity of iiuid from above, and the fluid thus admitted to the plunger' is allowed to act on the elastic member 22 through a plurality of ports in the connecting member 17.

`W'hen the plunger is on its rip-stroke, as indicated in Figure 2, the pressure of the column of luidin the tubing 5 will be partially exerted against the elastic tubular member 22, due to the presence ot' the ports 25 and 30, and when the member 22 is expanded, a sectional ring, consisting of sections 32 and 33, willfbc forced out iardly into fluid contact, or substantially fluid tight contact, with the working barrel 9.

However, on the down stroke of the plunger the weight of the column or" fluid is supported by the standing' valve, and a liquid tight connection between the plunger and.

the standingvalve is not necessary. W'ith this in mind, attention is directed `to the fact that the fluid just admitted to the working` barrel is passing upwardly through the connecting member 17, and the pressure is insuliicient to torce the elastic member 22 out wardly. Therefore, the sectional ring is not forced outwardly with any great pressure, and the plunger may freely descend.

The opposed ends of the plunger 14 and' the closed valve housing 19 are formed with annular extensions 34 and 35 for the reception of annular extensions or rims 3G on the ends ol the sections 32 and 33. The annular attaching'` portions 36 are confined within the extensions 3a and 35, and consequently the sections are held in place duringlthe insertion or withdrawal of the plunger. However, it is important to note that the sections 32 and 33 may partake of a limited longitudinal n'iouenient with relation to the elastic n'iember 22and other associated parts.

As previously stated, Figure 3 illust-rates the position the lluid pressure actuated expansible ring occupies during the rip-stroke o'l the plunger, and it will be seen. that the section 32 is slightly longer than the section 33 and is provided at its side edges with extensions or lugs 44 which interlock with extensions 45 on the section 3.3. The sect-ions 32 and 33 are capable of longitudinal movementwith relation to each other, and on the upstroke oLt the plunger the lower ends of the extensions l5 are 'flatly in contact with the upper ends of the extensions 111 to provide a multiplicity of spaced `Huid tight joints to positively prevent the leakage-of fluid between the sections. More specilically, fluid cannot work its way between the oppose-d longitudinal edges of the sections 32 and 33 on the rip-stroke of the plunger, as the multiplicity oflluidllight joints arranged at spaced points positively prevent this.

`@n the other hand, when the plunger is moving downwardly, this fluid tight joint between the ,flections 32 and 33 is not necessary, and consequently only the upper end of the lower extension 4:5 is flatly engaged with the lower end ot' the upper section elfi. It is thus seen thatA only a single contact point between the extensions is provided on the down stroke of the plunger.

The specilic construction of the sections 32 and 33 permits the same to move longitudinally with respect to each other, so that if any sand is present in the fluid, it cannot collect between and about the sections and' interfere with the operation of the same. Herein lies the important advantage oi providing a means whereby one section is moved longitudinally with respect to the other section during the reciprocation of the plunger. In summarizing this 'feature ot the invention it will be seen that on the 11p-stroke ot the plunger the section 33 is dragged upwardly by the-section 32. On the down stroke ol" the plu-nger, the section 33 is dragget downwardl'y by the section 32, `and in this manner the parts are maintained free of sand and consequently the plunger is not likely to stick.

It is ali'o .important to note that the extensions 36 dene shoulders `on the ends of the sections 32 and The endwise movement o't" the section 32 is limited' by the shoulders as the same contact with the extensions and 35. rlhe'endwise movement of the sec tion 33 is, in turn, limited by the interlocking members 4:4 and 45. rlhe shoulders on the section 33 do not at any time contact with the annular extensions 31 and 35 as the section 33 is slightly shorter than the section 32. The annular extensions 34.- and 35 are as illustrated in Figures 3 and 9 forn'ied with a plurality of recesses` i3 lor the discharge of sand which would otherwise lodge between the extensions 34 and 35 and the ends of the sections 32 and 33 and thereby interiere with the expansion of the ring.

However, a substantial. quantity of sand cannot work its vay into the barrel because the upper cnd oit the barrel is provided with av sand scraping mechanism (l0, which may be of the type illustrated in our several prior patents. This sand scraping mechanism effectiiely prevents the settling sand from working its way to the expansible ring, and the sand vwhich is arrested by the scraping mechanism is directed into a trap iormcd between the barrel 9 and the shell 7. It desired` suitable meansl may be provided to return the sand in the trap to the well.

Figures 1 and 2 also plainly illustrate that lin) the ports 30 in the connecting member 17 are inclined downwardly and inwardly `from the Vperiphery of the member 17 to provide for said longitudinal edges under pressure ofv the column offluid above. The transversely curved leaves 60 may extend for the full length of the sections 32 and are secured to the same by welding` or suitable fastening devices or by any other means found desirable. Figure 7 also illustrates. that the inner sides of the sections 32 and 33 are rabbeted for the reception of the transversely curved leaves 60', and in this manner the inner surfaces of the leaves 60 are flush with the inner surfaces of the sections 3Q and 33.

If desired, the lift of the lower traveling valve 2() may be slightly less than the lift of the upper traveling valve 65, so that the lower traveling valve will seat slightly before the upper traveling valve. Therefore, when the lower traveling valve seats first the pressure of the column 0f fluid above will act on the inner side of the tubular elastic member 22 and press the ring into engagement with the working barrel. When the upper traveling valve finally seats a quantity of fluid under pressure will be trapped in the plunger and will act against the expansible member 22 during the entire upstroke of the plunger.

Figure l illustrates an important feature of the invention, wherein it is shown that the shell 7 is threaded onto the outer side of the bushing 8 and the working barrel is internally threaded for threaded engagement with the outer side of the bushing 10. The annular extension on the upper end of the bushing 10 is externally threaded for engagement with the internal threads on the standing valve cage 11, and thus the standing valve is securely supported within the working barrel. It will be seen that by forming the threads on the bushing 8 for the connection of the shell, the working barrel and the standing valve on the outer side of the bushing the labor required in the manufacture of the bushing is substantially decreased.

Figurc 1 also illustrates that the working barrel, which is usually of cast iron, is provided at its lower portion with a steel tip or attaching portion 70, substantially thicker than the working barrel, but of the same internal diameter as the external diameter of the working barrel.

It is occasionally necessaryto remove the working barrel froml the bushing or boss 10, and in that case a wrench may be applied directly to the tip70. If the wrench is applied to the working barrel it is likely to crush the working barrel, as'the workingv barrel is. `usually of castr iron. However when the working barrel becomes unfit for use it is unthreaded from the tip 70, and if the working barrel is crushed, no harm is done and the tip may be employed in connection with a new working barrel.

The lower portion of the bushing 8 is internally threaded for the reception ofa gas anchor and is externally threaded for connection with a perforated inlet pipe.

We claim z- 1. In a pumping mechanism, the combination with a plunger, of an expansible seal ing ring associated with the plunger, valves adjacent the ends of said plunger, and means whereby the valve at one end of said plunger may close prior to the closing of the valve at the opposite end of the plunger.

2. A plunger for use in wells comprising a body, an expansible ring mounted on the body and consisting of separate sections having the opposed edges thereof provided with spaced loosely interfitting lugs estabi lishing a driving connection between the sections and permitting one section to partake of a limited longitudinal movement with respect to the other section.

3. A plunger for use Vin Wells comprising a body, an expansible ring mounted on the body and consisting of separate sections having the opposed edges thereof provided with spaced loosely interfitting lugs establishing a driving connection between the sections and permitting one section to partake of a limited longitudinal movement with respect to the other section, an elastic ring within the expansible ring, a valve at the upper portion of the body, a second valve at the lower portion of the body, and

means whereby the lower valve may close prior to the closing of the upper valve whereby the pressure of the fluid above the body is exerted on vthe elastic ring subsequent to the closing of the lower valve.

4. A plunger for use in wells comprising a body, an expansible ring mounted on the body and consisting of separate sections havmg the opposed edges thereof provided with spaced loosely interfitting lugs establishing a driving connection between the sections and permitting one sect-ion to partake of a limited longitudinal movement with respect to the other section, an elastic ring within the expansible ring, a valve at the upper portion of the body, a second valve at the lower portion of the body, means whereby the lower valve may close prior to the closing of the upper valve whereby the pressure of the fluid above the body s exerted on the elastic ring subsequent to the closing of the lower valve, and transversely curved leaves overlapping said lugs. n

5. A plunger for use in wells comprising a body, a connecting memberl associated with the body, a lower traveling valvecage supported by said Connecting member, an elastic ring mounted on said connecting member and having end portions substantially increased in thickness, saidy connecting member, said body and said lower traveling valve cage being provided with shoulders engaging opposite sides of the thickened end portions of said elastic ring to securely hold the elastic ring in place, and an expansible ring surrounding said elastic ring.

6. A plunger 'for use in wells comprising a body having spaced extensions, an eX- pansible sectional ring having its ends provided with extensions fitting vwithin said first-named extensions, said lirst-named eX- tensions being` provided with a plurality of recesses Jfor the passage of sand.

T. A plunger for use in oil well pumps, comprising a body, and an eXpansib-le ring associated with the body andA consisting of a plurality of sections having loosely interlocked extensions permitting limited longitudinal movement vof one section with relation to the other.

8. A plunger for use in oil well pumps, comprising a body, an expansible ring associated with the body andl consisting of a plurality of sections having loosely interlocked extensions permitting limited longitudinal movement of one section with relation tothe other, and means whereby the movement ofthe ring` longitudinally of said body is limited.

9. A plunger for use in wells, comprising a body, upper and lower traveling valves associated with the body, an expansible ring associated with the body and located between said valves, said ring being eXpansible under fluid pressure within the body, there being means whereby the lower valve may seat before the upper valve on the up stroke of the plunger.

l0. A plunger for use in wells, comprising a body, a connecting member associated with the body, a lower traveling valve having connection with said connecting'member, said body, said connectingr member and said lower traveling valve being formed with shoulders, a tubular elastic member having its ends substantially thickened and engaged by said shoulders, an expansible ring surrounding said tubular elastic member, said ringr consisting of a plurality of interlocking sections, and elongated leaves overlapping the interlocked portions of said sections to limit the outward movement of said elastic member.

JOHN PENROD.

ROBERT D. ',FILIOMPSOlNT.y 

